McNeese State Football Poised for a Big Year

At Southland Conference Football Media Day I was struck by how high esteem the Cowboys Football Program is held in by their conference rivals.

I've covered the Colonial Athletic Association, the ACC, the Big Ten and the Big 12 and never have I heard the glowing words that were showered down upon Matt Viator's program. Words like "pride", "tradition", and phrases like "that's what I hope one day our program can be" are tossed around like manhole covers at most media days.

However, the Southland Conference is different. Bitter rivals have more than just a grudging respect for each other, and that was evident when it comes to McNeese State. The Coaches Preseason Poll had the Cowboys selected as the team to beat in the SLC, while the Sports Information Directors Poll had them a narrow second to two-time defending champion Stephen F. Austin, by a single vote.

With the slew of players the Pokes had on the first and second all-conference teams, it's obvious big things are expected from Matt Viator's crew this year. We'll know more in a week when training camp opens at the Corral!